AFL 2 years ago

Crows hit one target, says coach Pyke

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Josh Jenkins, Eddie Betts and Ricky Henderson of the Crows sing the club song after the round 17 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpies at Adelaide Oval on July 16, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Now, the first-year Crows coach will aim at others after rubber-stamping an AFL finals ticket.

Adelaide's 28-point triumph against Collingwood on Saturday night lifted the Crows to second on the ladder with 12 wins - traditionally the benchmark to reach the final - and the understated Pyke acknowledged the achievement.

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"You'd look at 12 wins and you'd say, in general 12 wins gets you in a position where you're likely to play finals, so I guess that is the first target," he said after Adelaide's 14.13 (97) to 10.9 (69) win over Collingwood.

"From now, we look at what does that look like going forward.

"But the reality is we have got Geelong next Saturday night. And in order to get as best a spot you can in the finals, we have got to keep winning games of footy and the rest will take care of itself."

Pyke was rapt the Crows saluted stalwart Scott Thompson's 300th AFL match with a victory, given the midfielder's rare standing at the club.

"We spoke abut it (Friday), we had a little video tribute," Pyke said.

"We spoke about his journey through the club and his standing, not in the game, but in our club and the history of what he stands for.

"He is influential in the locker room clearly as a guy who has played 300 games. But the way he has played, the style he has played it in, really sets a strong example for our younger guys.

"It was great to be able to play the way we did and get a win for him."